John Mundt Building · Photo: publichall · CC BY-SA 3.0FEMA expects less hazard damage per building in Hartford than in 75% of U.S. towns, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hartford gets an A− for hazard risk: lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns, #2 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%), then tornadoes (22%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Hartford faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Tornadoes
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Hartford’s grade
River and rain flooding is 65% of the building damage FEMA expects in Hartford, and Hartford’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts. Tornadoes add 22%, at a rate in the top 7% of U.S. census tracts.
A− #2 of 35 in South Dakota; lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Hartford’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical South Dakota town has higher expected damage than 58% of U.S. towns; within the state, Hartford has less expected damage per building than 97% of South Dakota towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $1.8M a year in losses across Hartford: $688K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Hartford flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Hartford. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Hartford isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Minnehaha County.2 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Hartford
Disasters that paid out in Hartford itself (aid to households or repair grants to the City of Hartford), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2022Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding$54K to the City of Hartford for repairs
- 2019Severe Winter Storm, Snowstorm, and Flooding8 households applied for aid$13K aid approved
Minnehaha County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then floods. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Hartford after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Hartford archive →Hartford and its neighbors
Hartford has the lowest expected damage per building of the 1 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford | A−less damage than 75% | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Hartford Township | — | 569 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Hartford faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Hartford
Is Hartford at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Hartford has lower expected damage per building than 75% of U.S. towns: A− for hazard risk, #2 of 35 in South Dakota. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (65%) and tornadoes (22%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Hartford in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Minnehaha County, 19% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.3% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Hartford?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Hartford’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Hartford?
By FEMA money that reached Hartford, Severe Storm, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (2022): $54K to the City of Hartford for repairs.
Is Hartford at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (65%), and Hartford’s rate for it is lower than 70% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Hartford.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Hartford’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.